Mosquito Identification

What are mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are small insects with elongated bodies and one set of wings. A distinct, elongated mouthpart (proboscis) they use for feeding helps to identify these pests. Mosquitoes vary in size and color depending on the species. Like other flies, they are part of the order Diptera and are both annoying and dangerous. With an affinity for warm, humid environments, it's safe to say that mosquitoes are a pest we deal with regularly in Florida!

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Female mosquitoes feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They consume blood meals in order to get the protein they require to create healthy eggs that then hatch into new blood-feeding mosquitoes. As female mosquitoes feed, they become infected with different pathogens and parasites; they then transmit these to other people and animals. Though not every mosquito is carrying disease-causing pathogens, the diseases that mosquitoes do spread are serious. You should always take steps to limit their numbers and protect yourself from their bites.

Why do I have a mosquito problem?

Florida is home to many naturally occurring aquatic areas and receives a lot of rainfall each year. Both provide mosquitoes with plenty of standing water to use as breeding sites. Florida's warm, wet, tropical conditions provide the environmental conditions necessary for mosquitoes to thrive and complete their life cycle. Mosquitoes are pests that plague Florida residents throughout much of the year and ruin anytime we want to spend outside with family and friends.

Where will I find mosquitoes?

On a day-to-day basis, mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. During the heat of the day, they escape to shady areas and areas of dense vegetation that offer some respite from the sun and heat.

Mosquitoes live in high populations in areas where there is plenty of standing water to use as breeding sites. Properties near wooded areas, marshes, swamps, ponds, and ditches often experience significant problems with mosquitoes.

Something as unassuming as a low lying area in your driveway that allows rainwater to pool could be used as a major breeding site by mosquitoes to produce large numbers of these biting pests. Other common breeding sites in our yards include:

• Clogged gutters
• The tops of trash can lids
• Uncovered rain barrels
• The top of tarps
• Containers — buckets, plant pots, wheelbarrows
• Wading pools, pet bowls
• Pools or man-made ponds

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are a constant and frustrating pest problem that people living in Florida have to deal with. To reduce the number of mosquitoes resting, feeding, and breeding on your property, reach out to the local professionals at Empire Pest Defense. We are a local company with a deep commitment to our community and to providing our customers with top-notch services to eliminate pests.

Our highly trained technicians know how to reduce mosquito populations and help customers enjoy their outdoor spaces whenever they want! Start reducing the number of biting mosquitoes on your West Palm Beach area property with the help of Empire Pest Defense. Strike back against mosquitoes today; call to learn more about our mosquitoes control services!

How can I prevent mosquitoes in the future?

Reduce mosquito numbers on your Florida property with the help of the professionals at Empire Pest Defense, our effective pest control solutions, and our practical prevention tips:

• Wear a mosquito repellent when outside in mosquito-rich areas to help avoid being repeatedly bitten by mosquitoes.
• Screen in porches, decks, or patios to keep mosquitoes from biting you when spending time outside.
• Keep mosquitoes out of your home by keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible and use weatherstripping to close openings around windows and doors.
• Reduce the amount of flowering vegetation and cut back overgrown vegetation and tall grasses on your property to limit food sources and resting spots on your property.
• Remove standing water from your property; keep gutters clear, store containers upside down when not in use, and keep tight-fitting lids on rain barrels.
• If you own a pool or man-made water feature, make sure the water is always circulating and treated.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.